Titanium-group metal containing high-performance water, and its producing method and apparatus

ABSTRACT

Produce titanium-group metal micro-dispersion water that contains ion vapor of titanium-group metal in micro-dispersed state and that can be used as a material for health products, medical products, cosmetics, etc., by using an apparatus comprising a water tank, a high-voltage discharge generator equipped with a titanium-group metal electrode and its counter electrode, a water inlet, an outlet for produced water, and a titanium-group metal electrode feeder, in a manner causing plasma discharge in water between the titanium-group metal electrode and its counter electrode.

This application is the U.S. National Phase under 35 U.S.C. §371 ofInternational Application PCT/JP02/10524, filed on Oct. 10, 2002, whichclaims priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-315446 filed onOct. 12, 2001. The International Application was published under PCTArticle 21(2) in a language other than English.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to high-function water in which super-finetitanium-group metal particles are micro-dispersed.

The invention also relates to a method for producing high-function waterin which super-fine titanium-group metal particles are micro-dispersed,as well as an apparatus for producing the same.

The invention further relates to health products, medical products andcosmetics utilizing the aforementioned high-function water.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Titanium-group metals including titanium, zirconium and hafnium arerelatively new metal materials discovered much more recently than iron,copper, aluminum, etc. Particularly titanium metal, which is arepresentative metal among the aforementioned titanium-group metals, islightweight and offers excellent strength at high temperature. Becauseof these properties, titanium metal is already used in wide industrialapplications, such as jet engine material for aircraft and spaceship,tube and tube plate comprising heat-exchangers used for nuclear orthermal power generation, and articles of daily use such as eyeglassframe and golf club head. The applications of titanium metal areexpected to grow further.

A large number of examples have been known to date regarding the use oftitanium metal in articles of daily use, health/medical products andcosmetics. These examples include barber's scissors with titanium filmcoatings (Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 62-268584), theutilization of far-infrared ray through molten titanium metal (JapanesePatent Application Laid-open Nos. 61-59147, 1-155803 and 3-112849),bedding (Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 8-322695), cookingutensil (Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 9-140593), eye mask(Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 10-71168), health-maintainingequipment (Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Nos. 11-285541 and11-285543), health band (Registered Japanese Utility Model No. 3045835)and health slippers (Registered Japanese Utility Model No. 3061466).

However, the example of utilizing titanium-containing water as functionwater is limited to a production apparatus that uses titanium metal inthe cathode to produce drinking water through electroosmosis (JapanesePatent Application Laid-open No. 50-40779).

Likewise, very few applications are known that pertain to use oftitanium-group metals, other than titanium, in bioactive materials, foodmaterials, medical products, etc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Use of titanium-group metals in bioactive materials, food materials,medical products, etc., is generating keen interests. However, logicalexplanations as to how these metals can be utilized in such applicationshave not been offered.

The present invention aims to apply the almost infinite utilities ofthese titanium-group metals in the areas of bioactive materials andhealth/medical products in particular.

The present invention provides high-function water in whichtitanium-group metal is micro-dispersed, by converting titanium-groupmetal into metal ion vapor via plasma discharge in water and causing thevapor to contact water.

In addition, the high-function water offering high bioactivity asobtained by the present invention has been found useful as a materialfor health products, medical products and cosmetics.

Further, the present invention provides a method and apparatus forefficiently producing the aforementioned high-function water containingtitanium-group metal that offers bioactivation effects in health/medicalproducts, etc.

In the context of the present invention, “titanium-group metalmicro-dispersion water” refers to water in which super-finetitanium-group metal particles of micron to nano-scale aremicro-dispersed.

The basic feature of the present invention lies in the generation ofhigh-function water in which super-fine titanium-group metal particlesare micro-dispersed, by way of plasma discharging of titanium-groupmetal in water to convert it into metal ion vapor. Specifically, thepresent invention comprising (1) through (4) below:

(1) A method for producing micro-dispersion water of super-finetitanium-group metal particles, wherein titanium-group metal isconverted into ion vapor through plasma discharge in water in a mannerallowing the vapor to contact, and micro-disperse in, water.

(2) An apparatus for producing micro-dispersion water of super-finetitanium-group metal particles, comprising a water tank, a high-voltagedischarge generator equipped with a titanium-group metal electrode andits counter electrode, a water inlet, an outlet and a discharge pump fordischarging processed water, an electrode-vibration/sliding device, anda feeder of the titanium-group metal electrode.

(3) High-function water in which super-fine titanium-group metalparticles are micro-dispersed.

(4) A health product, medical product or cosmetic product whose mainingredient is the high-function water specified in (3).

In the present invention, a filter system may also be attached as anadjunct to the aforementioned apparatus for producing micro-dispersionwater of super-fine titanium-group metal particles, in order to removefine titanium-group metal particles of larger particle size that are notmicro-dispersed.

Generally in a water dispersion or mixed solution in which fineparticles of titanium-group metals or oxides of these metals are simplydispersed, the titanium-group metal settles and separates within a shortperiod of time. The titanium-group metal micro-dispersion water obtainedby the present invention does not cause the titanium-group metalparticles in it to settle.

In other words, the most significant feature of the titanium-group metalmicro-dispersion water obtained by the present invention is that themicro-dispersed titanium-group metal generated by plasma discharge inwater remains micro-dispersed in a stable manner for a long period oftime without settling or otherwise separating from water.

The titanium-group metal micro-dispersion water obtained by the presentinvention exhibits the surprising, remarkable effect of providing,through an interaction of water molecules and titanium-group metal,high-function water that offers bioactivation functions that can befavorably applied in health products, medical products, cosmetics, etc.

The high-function titanium-group metal micro-dispersion water obtainedby the present invention can be used in health products such asmotor-function enhancing creams, medical products such as antibacterialagents, and cosmetics such as UV-protection products.

The titanium-group metal micro-dispersion water obtained by the presentinvention can be used suitably for the above purposes today, but it isbelieved that this micro-dispersion water will provide an innovativebioactive material that would fully answer the needs of today'shealth-conscious consumers. The mechanism as to why a micro-dispersionwater of titanium-group metal provides excellent bioactive efficacies isnot yet clear. The inventors are working diligently to find scientificexplanations for these efficacies.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1: Production flow chart of titanium-group metal micro-dispersionwater as proposed by the present invention FIG. 2: Schematic drawing ofan apparatus for producing titanium-group metal micro-dispersion wateras proposed by the present invention

DESCRIPTION OF THE SYMBOLS

1: High-voltage discharge generator

2: Power supply for high-voltage/current discharge

3: Water tank

4: Titanium-group metal electrode feeder

5: Electrode-vibrating/sliding device

6: Titanium-group metal electrode

7: Counter electrode

8: Water inlet to water tank

9: Outlet for titanium-group metal micro-dispersion water

10: Discharge pump

11: Filter system

12: High-function water

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The titanium-group metal micro-dispersion water obtained by the presentinvention is a new product not heretofore available.

The present invention also provides a new method and apparatus forproducing water that contains metal ion vapor, wherein the production ofsuch water is based on melting titanium-group metal not through generalmethods like thermal melting that are commonly used to melt metal, butby causing plasma discharge in water.

Specifically, after studying ways to efficiently and economicallyproduce titanium-group metal micro-dispersion water, as well as ways toapply such water to bioactivation purposes, the inventors conceptualizeda method to cause plasma discharge in water between a titanium-groupmetal electrode and its counter electrode, thereby allowing thegenerated titanium-group metal ion vapor to contact and micro-dispersein water, wherein the method also incorporates a measure to preventproduction of substances other than water and titanium-group metal.

The method proposed by the present invention does not require theproduction conditions to be controlled in order to efficiently addexcellent bioactivity to the obtained water. Under the aforementionedproduction method, an appropriate filter system is necessary because notonly micro-dispersed titanium-group metal but also a trace amount offine metal-oxide particles of larger size than the target super-fineparticles will be produced in water.

A method for producing stable micro-dispersion water in whichtitanium-group metal is micro-dispersed as obtained through theaforementioned method under the present invention, as well as anapparatus to embody this method, are explained according to thedrawings.

FIG. 1 is a production flow chart of titanium-group metalmicro-dispersion water as proposed by the present invention, while FIG.2 illustrates an apparatus for producing titanium-group metalmicro-dispersion water as proposed by the present invention.

The apparatus for producing titanium-group metal micro-dispersion wateras proposed by the present invention, as shown in FIG. 2, comprising ahigh-voltage discharge generator (1) installed in a water tank (3) usedfor producing water in which titanium-group metal is micro-dispersed, anelectrode made of titanium-group metal (6), and a filter system (11) tofilter titanium-group metal micro-dispersion water.

The basic structure of the water tank (3) proposed by the presentinvention comprises an apparatus for producing micro-dispersion water inwhich titanium-group metal is micro-dispersed (12), comprising thehigh-voltage discharge generator (1) equipped with the titanium-groupmetal electrode (6) and its counter electrode (7), a water inlet (8), anoutlet (9) through which to discharge titanium-group metalmicro-dispersion water, a discharge pump (10), anelectrode-vibrating/sliding device (5), and a feeder of titanium-groupmetal electrode (4). The filter system (11) to filter the producedtitanium-group metal micro-dispersion water is also attached as anadjunct.

The water tank proposed by the present invention is made of metal, orpreferably steel, and a pressure-resistant container that can withstandthe pressures generated during underwater plasma discharge issufficient. The water tank (3) contains the high-voltage dischargegenerator (1) equipped with the titanium-group metal electrode (6) andits counter electrode (7), and the titanium-group metal electrode (6) issuccessively fed into the tank through the feeder (4) in accordance withthe rate of micro-dispersion. When current is supplied between theelectrodes, plasma discharge occurs in water and metal ion vapor isreleased, which then contacts, and micro-disperses, in water.Micro-dispersion water containing this micro-dispersed metal is takenout of the outlet (9) in the water tank and sequentially filteredthrough the filter system (11) provided as appropriate.

Because the titanium-group metal is micro-dispersed in water in vaporstate, the metal that has very strong hydrophilic property remainsmicro-dispersed in water in a stable manner and will not settle evenwhen a coagulating agent is added.

At this time, vibrating or sliding the titanium-group metal electrode ofthe high-voltage discharge generator in the water tank will prevent theelectrode from fusing, thereby making it easy to control the amount ofmicro-dispersed molecules for generation of instant arc. Additionally,there is no need to change the power supply for each differentapplication, since the amount of current flowing through the circuit canbe easily changed by adjusting the diameter and length of the counterelectrode made of carbon, etc.

As explained above, the present invention provides a method andapparatus for producing newly developed micro-dispersion water oftitanium-group metal. Since the mechanism only involves plasma dischargein water between the electrode of titanium-group metal and its counterelectrode, the apparatus can be constructed in a small size andtherefore capital investment can be reduced. Consequently,micro-dispersion water of titanium-group metal can be obtained easilyand economically.

Other characteristics of the present invention include the use of thusproduced titanium-group metal micro-dispersion water, in whichtitanium-group metal is micro-dispersed, as a material for healthproducts, cosmetics, food materials, drugs, quasi-drugs, etc., afternecessary refining. The produced water contains a small amount of finemetal-oxide particles of larger particle size generated via bonding oftitanium-group metal and oxygen and must therefore be filtered andrefined as necessary.

So as not to remove the produced micro-dispersed titanium-group metalmore than necessary, filtering should preferably be implemented not byusing ion exchange or reverse-osmosis membrane, but by using the filtersystem as explained below that can yield micro-dispersion water suitablefor a desired purpose. For example, filtering the processed waterdischarged from the water tank sequentially through hollow-fibermembranes is beneficial, because it will provide function water that canmeet the required standards governing food and sanitation, cosmetics,drugs, etc.

The constituent analysis of the titanium-group metal micro-dispersionwater obtained by the present invention found a trace amount of moltentitanium-group metal in the high-pressure water.

An embodiment of the present invention is explained in details using anexample in which titanium metal is used as the material. Note, however,that the material used in the present invention is not limited totitanium and that titanium-group metal micro-dispersion water can beobtained from other titanium-group metals through the same process.

EXAMPLE

FIG. 2 shows a representative example of the production apparatusproposed by the present invention.

The figure illustrates an apparatus for producing titaniummicro-dispersion water by generating titanium ion vapor through plasmadischarge in water and thereby causing the ion vapor to contact waterand letting titanium micro-disperse in water, which comprising a watertank (3), a high-voltage discharge generator (1) equipped with atitanium metal electrode (6) and its counter electrode (7), a waterinlet (8), an outlet for processed water (9), a discharge pump (10), anelectrode-vibration/sliding device (5), and a titanium metal electrodefeeder (4). A carbon electrode is used as the counter electrode. Toproduce 500 liters of titanium micro-dispersion water, titanium metalshould be fed at a rate of 0.5 kg per hour for five hours, whichachieves a titanium concentration of approx. 60 to 80 ppm.

Generated titanium micro-dispersion water is discharged from the watertank through the outlet, and supplied to a filter system if necessary,by means of the discharge pump. The filter system comprisinghollow-fiber membranes of 50 microns, 25 microns, 3 microns, 0.5 micronand 0.1 micron, and by passing the produced water through these filtermembranes sequentially a titanium micro-dispersion water containing avery small amount of molten titanium metal is obtained.

The titanium micro-dispersion water obtained in the above examplecontains super-fine titanium particles that will remain micro-dispersedin water in a stable manner for a long period of time without having toadd any active agent.

A separate experiment was implemented under the same conditions, but inwhich zirconium metal was used as the material instead of titanium, alsoproduced zirconium micro-dispersion water similar to the titaniummicro-dispersion water obtained above.

Trial Test of High-Function Water:

Ten male and female subjects were instructed to apply or spray titaniummicro-dispersion water in which titanium is micro-dispersed, and thehealth-promoting/bioactive effects and efficacies of the treatment wereverified.

Use Conditions and Test Results

1. 10 male and female subjects (The subjects used the water at varyingfrequencies)

2. Efficacies

Body feels lighter 5 persons Feels less fatigue 8 persons Fatiguedisappears quicker 7 persons Condition of cold improved markedly 1person Motor function improved 6 persons (Able to bend body furtherforward, jump further, etc.) Skin became smoother 7 persons Stiffness inshoulders decreased markedly 7 persons Eyes are no longer tired 3persons Wounds heal quicker 1 person

As evident from the above test results, many of those who applied orsprayed the titanium micro-dispersion water obtained by the presentinvention cited decrease in fatigue, promotion of motor function,elimination of stiff shoulders, smoother skin and other improvements.Therefore, it is found that the titanium micro-dispersion water obtainedby the present invention has remarkable effects as a material for healthproducts, medical products and cosmetics.

INDUSTRIAL FIELD OF APPLICATION

The present invention provides newly developed titanium-group metalmicro-dispersion water, as well as its production method and apparatus,and allows for efficient production of bioactive water containingtitanium-group metal in micro-dispersed state. A number of trial testsalso found that the obtained titanium-group metal micro-dispersion wateris also useful as a material for health products, medical products,cosmetics, etc. Other tests also suggest remarkable effects of suchwater as healthy drinking water.

1. A method for producing water in which super-fine metal particles oftitanium-group metal are micro-dispersed, comprising the steps: (a)causing plasma discharge in water between a metal electrode made oftitanium-group metal and its counter electrode to generate ion vapor oftitanium-group metal constituting said metal electrode; (b) causing thegenerated metal ion vapor to contact, and micro-disperse in, water,thereby producing water in which super-fine particles of said metal ofmicron to nano-scale size are micro-dispersed; and (c) filtering thewater produced from step (b) to remove fine particles of sizes largerthan said micron to nano-scale size.
 2. The method according to claim 1,wherein the counter electrode is made of carbon.
 3. The method accordingto claim 1, further comprising vibrating or sliding the titanium-groupmetal electrode in water during the plasma discharge to prevent theelectrode from fusing.
 4. The method according to claim 1, furthercomprising adjusting a diameter and length of the counter electrode tochange the amount of current flowing through the water.
 5. A method forproducing water in which super-fine metal particles of titanium,zirconium or hafnium are micro-dispersed, comprising the steps: (a)causing plasma discharge in water between a metal electrode made oftitanium, zirconium or hafnium and its counter electrode to generate ionvapor of a metal constituting said metal electrode; (b) causing thegenerated metal ion vapor to contact, and micro-disperse in, water,thereby producing water in which super-fine particles of said metal ofmicron to nano-scale size are micro-dispersed; and (c) filtering thewater produced from step (b) to remove fine particles of sizes largerthan said micron to nano-scale size.
 6. The method according to claim 5,wherein the counter electrode is made of carbon.
 7. The method accordingto claim 5, further comprising vibrating or sliding the metal electrodemade of titanium, zirconium or hafnium in water during the plasmadischarge to prevent the electrode from fusing.
 8. The method accordingto claim 5, further comprising adjusting a diameter and length of thecounter electrode to change the amount of current flowing through thewater.